PLANS to build hundreds of new homes on the outskirts of an east Cleveland town have been submitted by a developer.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has received a planning application which would see the addition of up to 400 new residential properties in Skelton.

The 16.9-hectare site is part of a wider area drafted for mixed use development and would turn land to the east and west of Saltburn Lane into a housing estate.

Building on the site, if the application is approved, is set to be a mixture of apartments, terraced, semi-detached and detached houses.

The development would be a mix of 73 apartments, 138 terraced homes, 146 semi-detached and 43 detached properties.

Developers say there is a plan to divide the development into three areas to establish a ‘sense of place’.

The application said: “Considerable time has been spent understanding the site and the surrounding environment to ensure that the masterplan proposals both respond to any specific conditions and issues, as well as enhancing the character of the locale.”

Skelton ward councillor David Walsh accepts the site is earmarked for housing but is urging the developer to work with the local community on its plans.

He said: “The application is for land already defined for housing in the Council's Local Development Framework and its emerging Local Plan. My concerns will be at the detailed planning stage to see that the developers respect good design, allow for ample green space and tree planting and that the development makes room for a number of affordable houses.

“I would also want to see active engagement with the developers over the use of cash to help the local primary school deal with capacity issues, and also to see whether they can expand the range of services from the local GP surgery."

The council received the application following the successful planning applications of several commercial properties in the area.

However, the proposal comes just a few years after locals furiously opposed a previous residential development in the area.

Local resident Craig Gamble has written to the council to lodge his objections to the scheme.

He wrote: “I have just bought a property at the other side of the train tracks. We were told that there was to be no buildings opposite. We would not have bought this property if we knew anyone could build on that land.

"I truly believe there are too many houses in this area. At this rate there will soon be no countryside left. When is enough, enough?”

Public consultation ends August 25.